Support for axminster tube frame



July 9,- 1957 w. Y. ROBB SUPPORT FOR AXMINSTER TUBE FRAME Filed Dec. 8, 1954 INVENTOR WALTER Y. ROBB ATTORNEY United States katent l SUPPORT FOR AXMINSTER TUBE FRAME Walter Y. Robb, Whitinsville, Mass, assignor to Crompton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, i-i'asa, a cor poration of Massachusetts Application December 8, 1954, Serial No. 473,963

6 Claims. (Cl. 139-10) This invention relates to improvements in Axminster looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide a simple form of support for tube frames to prevent them from moving angularly with respect to the links of the transporting chain which support them.

An AXminster loom employs a large number of tube frames detachably connected to transporting chains which are trained around pullover and overhead sprocket wheels forming part of the structure which supports the tube frames. In the past it has been customary to connect the tube frames to double links in the transporting chains in such a manner that a tube frame passing from one side to the other side of a sprocket wheel has considerable motion with respect to the chains. This undesirable motion subjects the tube frame supporting hooks to considerable strain which results occasionally in their breakage with resultant dropping of the tube frames from the chains.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide each of certain links of at least one of the transporting chains with a pair of supporting arms for the associated tube frame, these arms being connected to their chain links in such manner as to maintain a substantially fixed angular position of the tube frame with respect to its link to prevent the previously mentioned undesirable motion of the tube frame with respect to the chain.

The transporting chains have double links alternating with single links, the double links comprising a pair of links spaced transversely of the length of the chain and so related to the tube frame that a tongue rigid with a bracket on the end of the tube frame passes between the two links and a supporting hook on the tube frame passes over one of the two links. t is a further object of the invention to provide tube frame support means associated with the double links so constructed as to move around the sprocket wheels of the loom with the double links and remain in engagement with the tube frame to prevent the aforesaid objectionable movement of the tube frame.

The supporting hooks at the ends of the tube frame are detached from the transporting chains by a rocking or pivotal movement caused by clutches which move inwardly against the hooks preparatory to a tuft forming operation of the loom. It is a further object of the invention to have the supporting arms which engage the bar of the tube frame so positioned as to permit the usual rocking movement of the associated hook. This result is accomplished as set forth herein by having the hook between the supporting arms and having the latter spaced sufliciently from each other to enable the hook to rock around its pivot on the tube frame.

The preferred form of the invention is so constructed that it can be applied to existing transporting chains by a slight change in the latter. In a modified form of the invention the support arms are integral with one of the links forming the double link.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the accompanying drawings which 2,798,511 l atentecl July 9, 1957 illustrate by way of example two embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through a pullover shaft of an Axminster loom showing a short section of transporting chain and associated tube frames and having the preferred form of tube frame support applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is an elevation looking in the direction of arrow 2, Fig. l, partly in section, showing a tube frame supported by a transporting chain and a clutch to disengage the hook from the chain, 7

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3, Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4-, Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a detailed view similar to a part of Fig. 2 but showing the clutch moved to hook releasing position and showing the manner in which the clutch is modified to accommodate the supporting arms on the: chain,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a modified form of the chain wherein the supporting arms are integral with a chain link,

Fig. 7 is a side view looking in the direction of arrow 7, Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view looking in the direction of arrow 8, Fig. 6, showing the relation between the supporting arms of the modified form and the transporting chain.

Referring to Fig. 1, the pullover shaft 1 of the loom has secured thereto a pullover sprocket wheel 2 which drives a transporting chain 3. This chain has double links alternating with single links, the double links as shown in Fig. 4 comprising link members 5 and 6 which are spaced transversely of the length of the chain and the single links being indicated at 7. Pivot pins 8 connect the double and single links and in the preferred form of the invention perform an additional function which Will be described hereinafter.

The tube frame 10 comprises an elongated bar 11 from which extend a plurality of yarn tubes 12 for the tuft yarns Y, see Fig. 1. Secured to the end of bar 11 is a bracket 13 having an inside spool bearing part 14 to support the yarn spool or beam B and having an outside part 15 which extends upwardly from the bar, is then bent outwardly away from the bearing part 14, and then extends upwardly to form a tongue 16 which extends between links 5 and 6. Pivoted to the bracket 13 is a supporting hook 1'7 which is normally urged in a direction away from the spool bearing 14 by a spring 13 which, however, permits the hook to be moved toward the spool hearing. A clutch C has side cheeks 2t) and 21 which engage opposite vertical sides of the bar It and has a foot 22 to pass under the bar. The clutch also has a stud 23 for engagement with the hook 1'7.

in normal operation the pullover shaft 1 turns intermittently to move the tube frames one at a time to a releasing station T directly under the shaft. When a tube frame is in the releasing station and is to be released from the chain the clutch C is moved to the left, Fig. 2, so that the stud 23 engages book 17 to rock the latter toward the spool support it? until the hook is out of vertical alignment with the link 6. As the clutch moves to releasing position the foot 22 effects a slight rising motion of the tube frame to take the weight of the tube frame off the hook and permit the latter to move freely to releasing position. With the tube frame thus released from the chain the clutch then moves downwardly to permit manner; For further description of the tube frame referenceflmaybe had to Patent 2,161,761. vTheinvention, however, is not limited to the specific type of tube frame shown in that patent.

It iwil-labe. understood that in=Axminster looms:-as :previ-. l

ously made the tube frame which is:toithe;right of the releasingtstation;.Fig. ,1, will; saggtoaposition: which is nonradialewith respect tonshaft it due tOJIhG looseness between-{the tongue and the. space between adjacent :ends

of the singlelinksfl. A tube frameonzthe leftofposition: T' will. also sag-3 but" in' a direction. opposite, with respect tothe chainto .theasaggings-of. the tube frame to theu rights of position T. A: tubes framewpassingcfrom the right of position T to the left thereof willihavecon In .carryingthepreferred form :of .the. invention into effect each of the double links is provided with. a supportingtm'ember designated generally at S. Each member S includestwo substantially-parallel arms 30 and 31 connectedintegrallyattheir upper endsby an arch. 32... As showntinnFig.v 2 thearch 32Iis located between the yarn spooltandthesprocket 2 but the'invention is not necessarily limited to this particular lecationof the arch. The member-,8 has hubs 33 and Sad-through which pass the pivot pins.8.. These pins are somewhatlonger than those foundzin thecrdinary transporting chain and serve to holdxthernember S and therefore the: arms 30 and 31 in fixed angular :positionwith respect to the links and .6.

The arms. 301 and Sidelinebetween them a space 35 into which the bar ill extends whenthe tube frame is on the-transporting chains. The outer ends of the .arms and-filearespacedxa distance subsantially equal .to the width of thezbar i as is apparent in. Fig. 1, and hold the tube frameagainst. angular motion with respect to its double link. When the latter engages a sprocket wheel the tube frame isdisposed substantially radially with respect. to. the ,axis of. the sprocket, as shown in Fig. l. This.;is. a. desirable but .not necessary condition. The loweriinnerends of the supporting arms may be'rounded as at 36 to! facilitate entry ofthe bar it into the space when a tube frame is being returned to the chain after .a' tuft forming operation. r The arms 30and 31 are on opposite sidesof the hook 17.v and thecheeks. 2i and 2?. of clutch C are cut away as at 374:0 provide clearance for the ends of the supporting arms, as suggested in Figs. 2 and 5. The arms 39 and 31-are so located that they do not interfere in any way with the. motion of the clutch C to hook releasing position, .orthe usual movements of hook 17 with respect to link;6.

In the. modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 m8 one of the links of the double link is made integral Wllih tllbfi frame supporting arms. Thus, a link itl corresponding to link 6 is integral withtarrns 41 and 42 corresponding to arms Elil-and 3ltrespectively defining between them: aspace 43. corresponding to space 35. Parts 49, 41 andi42together form a support unit or member 45 made preferably 1 although not necessarily with hubs 4d throughiwhich pass pins 47. As shown in Fig. 8 link'5 and. the single links 7 are the same as in the-preferred form and the unit 45 replaces the link 6. The hook 17 will extend over the link 4% when the modified form of the. invention is .used. and. the arms 41 andv 42-v-act inthe same manner to support tube frame as already described for the preferred form:

The preferred form of the invention can be added to the usual transporting chain merely by employing pins 8 of a length greater than that ordinarily found in transporting chains, while the modified form of the invention can be utilized where new chains are built to incorporate the invention. Although .it iscontemplated that both chains in a wide Axminster loom will be made with the supporting arms, it will be suflicient on narrow loomsif only one of the chains is equipped with the supporting arms.

From the foregoing it will be seenthat the invention sets forth simple means for supporting tube frames in such manner as to prevent their angular motion with respect to the double links of the transporting chains. The invention contemplates a pair ofarms,- as 30 and 3l' in the preferred form or 41 and 42'in themodified-form;

which are held against angular motion with respect to the double link-and extend on opposite sides of the'bar 10' to engage the latter at points spaced from the-double link.

Thehook 17 is between the supporting arms andis free to.act without interference bythem. In the preferred formthe invention can be appliedto existing transporting I chains merely by altering the-latter to theextentof lengthening the pivot pins 8, whereas in the modified formtheunit 45'has the arms integral with one of the'double links.

Having now particularly desoribed'and ascertained the 7 nature :of the invention and in what manner the same is to beperfor-med, what is claimed is:

1. Inian Axminster loom operating-with a tube frame comprisinga longitudinal bar having secured to an end thereof a bracket formed with a tongue and having pivoted theretoa supporting hook, a transporting chain for the tubeframe including a pair of links spaced from each other transversely of the chain between which said tongue extends and :over one of which-said hook extends, andtwo spaced support means on the chain fixed with respect' to each other and in fixed angular position with' respect to the link over which the hookextends engaging the tube frame on opposite sides of the hook to' prevent angular movement of the tube frame relative to said link.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means includes arms which engage opposite sides of said longitudinal bar.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said arms are integral with one of said links.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said arms are integralwith the-link over which said hook extends.

5. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said links are pivoted at their ends to pins spaced longitudinally along the chain and said support arms aresupportedby said pins.

6. The structure set forth in claim 2 whereinthe'tube frame supports a yarn spool and the chain is trained around a pullover sprocket wheel and said support arms are integral withan arch which is betweenthe spool and sprocket wheel when thepair of links are operatively engaged with the sprocket wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent- UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,126,449 Cooper Aug. 9, 1938 

